New York Post wrote an article about the legislation that Senate Republicans passed that expands giveaways for electric-generating companies. We should be standing up for ratepayers not huge corporations.

ALBANY -- Last-minute legislation to head off a threatened 12-percent rate hike for New York City electricity customers was in danger last night as Senate Republicans unexpectedly passed a different measure that could cost the city nearly $2 billion.

Outraged lawmakers and city officials accused the Senate GOP of seeking a massive give-away for electric-generating companies that already are receiving city tax breaks on their property taxes.

With the power of a new state law behind him, Mayor Michael Bloomberg is cracking down on the city's illegal hotels.

The Office of Special Enforcement has shuttered or given citations to 15 of the illegal inns, defined as any residence with a "transient occupant" whose stay is less than 30 days. Under the previous law, a majority of the building's occupants had to be transient for the building to be illegal.

Standing up for the rights of tenants to organize, the New York State Senate passed legislation to eliminate the financial burden to tenants who want to conduct meetings in public housing, announced Senator Velmanette Montgomery, a sponsor of the bill.

The legislation (S.3114) bans the imposition of a fee currently placed on tenants wishing to hold a group meeting. Under the bill, tenants would have access to a location owned by the authority which has been set aside as an area of common use for all tenants, including any community or social room.

(D-Jamaica) On Tuesday, April 19th at Mt. Zion Baptist Church and Saturday, April 23rd at York College. Senator Shirley L. Huntley, Councilman Ruben Wills, and Councilman Leroy Comrie, Jr., in cooperation with the Connect Queens Campaign and many other sponsors held meetings and workshops discussing and helping educate residents about foreclosure prevention and preserving homeownership.

On Friday, April 8, 2011, NYS Senator Eric Adams joined the parents of slain NYPD Detective Russel Timoshenko to announce the second annual Bridging the Gap Basketball Scholarship Tournament in memory of slain NYPD Detective Russel Timoshenko. The tournament, was hosted by the Student Government Association in collaboration with the 71st Precinct Detectives Unit. The money raised will benefit the Detective Russel Timoshenko Scholarship Fund for tuition assistance to Medgar Evers College students.

This is a follow up to my initial Freedom Of Information Act request that I sent to the Department of Education by email on Friday, April 15, 2011.

I am in receipt of a one-page letter dated January 3, 2011 which was the initial offer to Cathie Black by Mayor Michael Bloomberg. I also received a follow-up email note yesterday from Mr. Storelli-Castro summarizing the information. While his response is interesting, it is not a substitute for documents.

Queens Tribune wrote about the press conference Senator Gianaris held in response to the crashes at Queensborough Bridge.

In the wake of two similar disastrous car accidents on the Queens side of the Queensboro Bridge, local officials are asking the city to change the traffic pattern that they say has caused two accidents that killed two and destroyed a business - twice.

In the span of two weeks, two Volkswagen Jettas crashed into a store on Queens Plaza South and Crescent Street. Both cars collided with the store after jumping the curb exiting the Queens-bound outer roadway of the Queensboro Bridge. Both accidents occurred at about 4 a.m., when the normally-congested bridge is nearly empty. Tragically, both drivers each lost an arm.

The Post wrote an article about Governor Cuomo's proposed legislation to give permanent property tax cuts to power companies, removing the option for the rate hikes that FERC passed, which are scheduled to start May 28. The Governor's bill is extremely similar to the bill that I have written on the issue.

ALBANY -- Gov. Cuomo is racing to the rescue of heavily burdened New York City electricity customers who face a massive and unexpected 12 percent rate hike next month, The Post has learned.

The Western Queens Gazette wrote about the Senator's visit to businesses near the site of two fatal car crashes off of the Queensboro Bridge. Senator Gianaris reassured the business owners that he would use all his power to make sure that the Department of Transportation improve safety along this dangerous stretch of road.

On April 7, state Senator Mike Gianaris visited the café that narrowly missed being hit by the cars that exited off the Queensboro Bridge off-ramp in Long Island City. He met with some of the employees of Tozt to assure them of his efforts toward making the area safe and accident free.

The Western Queens Gazette wrote a front page story about Senator Gianaris' press conference at the Queensboro Bridge following two major accidents in 10 days at one of the bridge's off-ramps. Senator Gianaris has helped lead the charge to improve safety along this dangerous stretch of road.

Speaker Quinn and Senator Huntley share the same concerns that are affecting New York City and New York State such Rent Control legislation, Education and school closures, Anti-Bullying in schools and Social Service programs.